Revised edition as of March, 2015. Building a large barn and starting a horse boarding business was my dream but it turned out to be a lot harder than I imagined. What was even harder for me was learning to become the business owner I needed to be to run a successful boarding stable. This book is about what it takes to work in the horse industry and what barn management is really all about. This is the story of Vinland Stables in Neenah Wisconsin. My name is Sheri Grunska and I wrote this book to show you how we built our barn from nothing and what it took to get our business off the ground. It is really about what it takes to become the business person you need to be to run a boarding facility efficiently and with confidence. This is the most honest total barn management book you will ever read and it is really two books in one. The first few chapters of this book is about my family's journey of building our barn and all that it took to get the loan and get the barn up and open for business. The reason I wrote the first part of the book is to help others that want to build a barn and show them all that goes with the building process both good and bad. We made a lot of mistakes in the building process so now I hope to help others so they don't end up with the mess we did. The rest of the book is about actually running a barn on a day to day basis with clients and horses. It is the most complete barn management you will ever read. In this book, I will show you how to write a business plan if you are applying for a loan and give you examples of what our business plan looked like ten years ago and what it should look like now. I will show you what my boarding contract looks like and what you should have in your contract. Running a horse boarding facility is about so much more than feeding and cleaning stalls. In fact that is the easy part. In this book I will discuss subjects like: - herd management and the boarder - What do you do when two horses don't get along and how do you know when it's time to move a horse - How do you give a 30 day notice to a boarder - When do you raise your rates and how much? - What are the boundaries between the barn owner and the client? - How to write a business plan for the equine industry - Boarding contracts and barn rules - No drama policy at the barn - How to find the right trainer for your facility - Are you willing to ask a boarder to leave - barn hours and why they are important - What do you do when a horse gets hurt on your property and the owner wants to blame someone. - Special request and when to say "Sorry but we do not offer that here." You will not find another book on the market that addresses these real situations in the horse business. I will share with you what we have learned over the years through many trials and errors. I will give you the tools to handle the most stressful situations. If you feel sometimes like you are alone in running your farm and no one else would understand the problems you are having, than read this book. You will find out very quickly that what you are dealing with is very common in most barns. Let me teach you how to become a leader and take control of your business. To this day, I love going out to the barn every morning for work. It wasn't like that the first couple of years. Learning to become a barn owner and business person takes time and sometimes a few years. I will share all that we have learned over the years with our business. This book will educate and inspire you and I hope to help you in your day to day life of running your barn. We made many mistakes in the beginning and it was because we didn't go to anyone for advice. I tried to find the answers in books but was not able to. Let me help you start off with the tools you need to become a successful business person in the equine industry. It is a great life when I step into my office and hear nickers every morning. It can be a great life for you too.

Turn your passion for horses into a successful business. Full of proven techniques to help you maximize profits and minimize headaches, this practical guide shows you how to create a viable business plan, identify marketing opportunities, and efficiently maintain your facilities. With savvy tips on reducing veterinary and feed costs, you’ll learn how to make your operation self-sufficient and keep it financially sustainable. Whether you run a boarding stable or a riding camp, you’re sure to find the information you need to keep your business running smoothly.

This book will open your eyes to the world of horse boarding and all that it encompasses. One of the most often asked questions I get from people who want to start a boarding business is, "Where do I start?" Great question! Most people, including myself, usually start with a couple of horses and then progress into boarding. This book is a step by step guide on what you need to do to get your barn or stable up and going and how to maintain a strong and healthy boarding business. Whether you want to run a large facility or a small stable this book will cover everything you need to know to help you start off with a strong foundation for your business. I have included a current business plan (designed especially for the horse boarding industry), boarding contract and barn rules which is only the beginning. This book will walk you through every step and give you tasks lists and suggestions for every part of your business from designing your barn to seeking a loan. This book includes designing a barn or stable, your tack room, horse stalls and riding arenas. It covers extensive pages on herd management, turnout and paddocks and how to design them and what to think about before you put the first post in the ground. It will include business insurance, accounting and lawyers and what they mean to your business. I discuss the financial part of business ownership throughout the book and how to streamline your chores and hire employees. I discuss conflict resolution, the barn manager's role and client relations and the intention of this book is to help you avoid some of the common pitfalls of barn management and business ownership and that is only the beginning. The topics that are covered in this book are extensive and you won't find a more current book on running a boarding business. This book will benefit any size boarding operation. A large boarding barn equates to a large scale effort and risk. A small boarding stable carries lower financial risk but requires the same planning to be successful and can have many of the same issues as a large facility. Every area of the horse industry is impacted by the boarding stable and no matter the size; each plays an integral part in the success and stability of the equine industry.

This acclaimed guide examines every aspect of initiating a horse business venture, and is widely used in equine departments at major universities across the nation. In this extensively revised and expanded edition, Janet E. English, CPA, presents advice on how to structure a business plan,attract investors,manage records and funds, and handle accounts. Agreement forms and contracts are conveniently included in ready-to-use formats, and will lay the groundwork for solid business affairs. Every horse owner can benefit from this book, but it should be especially helpful for those who wish to succeed in the horse business!

Running a horse farm requires acquiring, operating, and maintaining an assortment of heavy machinery. This practical guide shows you how to expertly equip your operation with trucks, trailers, tractors, and more. Learn how to compare models, select machines appropriate to your needs, troubleshoot problems, and work with attachments like loaders, disc harrows, and manure spreaders. Using the right machinery will help you work more efficiently, save you money, and leave you more time to spend with your horses.

Horse Business Management will equip you with the knowledge to run a profitable horse business. Down-to-earth and highly readable, this book demonstrates how to apply modern business theory to create success, in addition to outlining British legal considerations for your business. Essentially, it will enable you to develop your vision of excellence and the specialist skills needed to make that vision a reality. Sections include: Understanding the market Considering available assets Developing effective marketing strategies Developing effective practices in daily yard management Providing a safe and rewarding environment for all involved Recognising and providing a high quality experience for the customer Providing a solid financial return Jeremy Houghton Brown and Marcus Clinton offer you their expert advice on modern equine business techniques, sharing their wealth of practical experience, and their thorough understanding of the horse industry in the UK. Extensively revised for its fourth edition, Horse Business Management is applicable to every type of stable yard and horse business. It is equally suited for both current and prospective horse business owners and managers, and should be in the hands of every college equine student.